Our Staff
Beverly (Bev) Gingras
Executive Director
Beverly (Bev) Gingras is our Executive Director. Before joining the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Bev worked for Ducks Unlimited Canada as Head of Boreal Conservation Programs where she led their Forest Management And Wetland Stewardship Initiative and developed the Wetland Best Management Practices Program.
With Master’s degree in Environmental Biology and Ecology from the University of Alberta, Bev has served in a variety of roles in the academic, governmental, and not-for-profit sectors where she has managed science-based projects and programs, led multi-stakeholder teams, and provided guidance to government personnel and industry representatives. Bev enjoys camping, gardening and exploring the natural areas of New Brunswick with her husband Chris and two dogs, Rose and Biggie Smalls.
Michelle Pellerin
Administration
Michelle Pellerin brings a unique blend of business savvy and artistic creativity to the Conservation Council. Originally from Bathurst, Michelle earned her business degree in the late ‘90s and spent over a decade with Bell Aliant in various roles. But her creative spirit led her back to school in the 2010s, where she pursued a ceramics program at the College of Craft and Design in Fredericton after apprenticing with a family member. Now, she’s a seasoned artist who also balances roles as an office manager.
Michelle’s love for numbers, teamwork and hands-on creativity keep her energized. Outside of work, she enjoys life with her family and a host of fur and feathered friends. When she’s not busy, you can find her soaking in the tranquillity of the St. John River, either fishing or eagle-watching from her boat.
Matt Abbott
Marine Program Director
Matt Abbott has been with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick since 2010, and is the Marine Program Director and Fundy Baykeeper. Matt works out of the Conservation Council’s marine conservation office in St. Andrews. Matt works to find practical and creative solutions to the complex environmental challenges facing New Brunswick’s coastal ecosystems and communities.
These challenges all occur in the context of climate change and range from industrial pollution to depletion of marine species and inadequate environmental laws (or insufficient enforcement of existing laws). Solutions range from advocacy campaigns to policy engagement to direct restoration efforts. Matt welcomes pollution reports by email.
Moe Qureshi
Director of Climate Research and Policy
Moe Qureshi is a renewable energy expert, scientist, and active conservationist who has worked with environmental non-profits and NGOs for over a decade. He has sat on the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for Environment Canada and is currently a board member for Ontario Nature. Specializing his chemistry PhD in renewable energy, he is passionate about converting the energy sector to a net-zero carbon economy. In his spare time, Moe enjoys road trips, hiking and spending time in the great outdoors.
Danielle Smith
Director of Education and Engagement.
Danielle Smith is the Conservation Council’s director of education and engagement. She has a master of science in forestry with a focus on ecology and wildlife management. Danielle has over 15 years of experience in the educational and environmental sectors. She was responsible for the creation, development and direction of the UNB Sustainability office.
Danielle is also a professional environmentally engaged fiber artist. She uses art as a mechanism to engage communities in conversations around the impacts of climate change to create a sense of wonder and to urge people to connect with their communities and the natural world. Danielle lives in New Maryland with husband Mark and her dog.
Marieka Chaplin
DIRECTOR OF FRESHWATER AND FOREST CONSERVATION
Marieka Chaplin is our director of freshwater and forest conservation. Marieka is an ecologist, teacher and wetland professional in New Brunswick with over 20 years of experience in botany, environmental consulting and floodplain restoration. She is an experienced field botanist who specializes in wetlands, botany, carbon stock assessments and species at risk. She is trained in Indigenous and protected conservation areas, is a CABIN program manager, is bilingual and is experienced in sustainable tourism. Marieka is highly skilled in wetland delineation and functional assessments (WESP-ACs), regulatory policy and writing/reviewing technical reports. She has Wilderness and Remote Location First Aid certification.
Marieka also has three teenage children (Claire, Luke and Mahalia) who are a great source of pride. They live in downtown Fredericton.
Katelyn Plant
DIRECTOR OF Communications and Marketing
Katelyn Plant is passionate about building community and sparking positive change through mission-driven communications. With a lifelong love of nature, Katelyn earned an arts degree at York University, specializing in environmental studies. She also earned certificates in digital strategy and communications management from the University of Toronto and graphic design and visual communication skills from OCAD University.
With a strong commitment to youth empowerment, community development, and sustainability, Katelyn brings over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector, where she continues to be inspired by people who make the world a better (and greener) place.
Erinn Sharpe
Engagement Co-ordinator
Erinn Sharpe is the engagement co-ordinator at the Conservation Council. Raised on the Fundy coast, Erinn has an immense connection to the freshwater and saltwater ecosystems that make up New Brunswick. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Erinn’s educational focus was on environmental intersectionality and how media plays a major role in how New Brunswickers are informed about their local ecosystems.
Their previous work with Ocean Wise Conservation Association, connected them with fantastic facilitators across Canada and worked with youth to foster a sense of reciprocity with the land they call home. Having programmed throughout the Wabanakik region, Erinn brings a collective approach to environmentalism with a strong respect for traditional knowledge. A lifelong learner, Erinn is always eager to connect through shared and differential experiences on this land.
An avid queer outdoors person and gardener, in the summer they can often be found birding, biking trails or kayaking through New Brunswick various waterways. Winter is spent cross country and downhill skiing.
Annie Furman
Education Co-ordinator
Annie Furman is our education co-ordinator. She has a master of fine arts in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on performance and sustainability. Originally from Upstate New York, Annie has worked in environmental and outdoor education throughout Canada and the United States. She is passionate about building community resilience through creative, place-based engagements.
Annie is also a professional climate artist. Her work has been performed internationally through Climate Change Theatre Action, and she is a published author whose poems and short stories tackle climate anxiety, multispecies narratives, and just energy transitions. She enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding.
Madison Stadler-Rose
Climate Change Analyst
Madison Stadler-Rose is the climate change analyst at the Conservation Council. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international development, alongside an environmental assessment diploma, from the University of Waterloo and a master’s degree in international environmental studies from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. With seven years of experience studying and working abroad with NGOs on environmental initiatives, Madison is passionate about understanding the role the environment plays in people’s daily lives and fostering open, inclusive dialogue around environmental impacts and sustainable solutions.
Outside of work, Madison enjoys thrifting, hiking, camping, exploring new places, spending time with her partner, family, and friends, and taking every opportunity to soak up the sun.
Islay Hayward
Education and Engagement Intern
Islay Hayward is an education and engagement intern at the Conservation Council. She is entering her third year of environmental management at the University of New Brunswick, specializing in wildlife conservation. As the president of the Wetlands Conservation Society of New Brunswick, Islay is passionate about wetland restoration and biodiversity. She is also the incoming president of the Forestry and Environmental Management Undergraduate Society at the University of New Brunswick.
Outside the office, you can often find Islay hiking, hammocking or sustainably collecting species for her herbaria with her friends. Islay is excited about working and learning in her role at Conservation Council, particularly with the Learning Outside program.